Preparing Your Home for a Disaster: Tips and Checklist

As I advise clients, unfortunately, a disaster can literally strike at any moment, leaving homeowners with little time to prepare. Fortunately, this damage can be mitigated by taking simple, common sense steps ahead of time, which will help minimize damage to your home. Below are some tips and a checklist for preparing your home for a disaster.

  1. Create a Family Emergency Plan

Before you begin preparing your home for a disaster, it's essential to have a family emergency plan in place. Your emergency plan should include important contact information for family members, emergency services, and other relevant organizations.

You'll also need to have a designated meeting place for family members in case you get separated during a disaster. Make sure everyone in your household knows the plan, and keep a copy of it in an easily accessible location.

  1. Stock Up on Emergency Supplies

Food, water and emergency supplies are key in order to survive any disaster. At a bare minimum, you need at least a three day supply You should have at least a three-day supply of food and water for everyone in your household.

First aid supplies, flashlights and a battery powered radio are absolute essentials that every one should have.

SaleBestseller No. 1
Bactine MAX First Aid Spray - Cleansing Spray with 4% Lidocaine - Relief for Minor Cuts, Burns & Bug Bites - 5oz
  • MAX RELIEF: Bactine MAX is an all-in-one cleansing spray that cools and...
  • NO-STING & NO WORRIES: Treat your family with a sting-free first aid wound...
  • FIRST AID KIT MUST HAVE: Accidents happen, be prepared. Keep your first aid...

SaleBestseller No. 1
Victoper LED Flashlight 2 Pack, Bright Tactical Torch High Lumens with 5 Modes, Waterproof Zoomable Flash Light for Outdoor, Gifts for Camping Essentials Gear
  • [ Ultra-Powerful Brightness ] Illuminate your path with this flash light...
  • [ Zoomable and Multi-Mode ] Choose from five different modes of our led...
  • [ Aircraft-Grade Material ] This tactical flashlight is crafted from...

Bestseller No. 1
PRUNUS J-166 Portable Radio AM FM, Battery Operated Radio with Tuning Light, Back Clip, Excellent Reception, AM FM Radios Portable, Transistor Radios
  • 【Portable Design】You can hold mini radio by one hand. it's small enough...
  • 【Easy to Use】 After busy work, sometimes it’s nice to take a nap with...
  • 【Excellent Signal Reception】FM: 87-108 MHz, AM:520-1730 kHz; I guess a...

If possible, a generator is an excellent purchase and can be used to secure your home during a prolonged blackout.

SaleBestseller No. 1
MARBERO Portable Power Station 88Wh Camping Lithium Battery Solar Generator Fast Charging with AC Outlet 120W Peak Power Bank(Solar Panel Optional) for Home Backup Outdoor Emergency RV Van Hunting
  • EFFICIENT CHARGING: Use the adapter included in the package to charge the...
  • COMPACT & PORTABLE DESIGN: Super slim size(6.5 x 4.6 x 3.1 inches), the...
  • MULTI-OUTPUT: There are 8 output ports could be used at the same time, and...
Bestseller No. 2
Generator Rex
  • Amazon Prime Video (Video on Demand)
  • Daryl Sabara, Grey DeLisle, John DiMaggio (Actors)
  • Christofer Graham (Director) - Rob Hoegee (Writer) - Brian A. Miller...
Bestseller No. 1
E-SHIDAI Solar/Rechargeable Multi Function 1000 Lumens LED Flashlight, with Emergency Strobe Light and 1200 Mah Battery, Emergency Power Supply and USB Charging Cable, Fast Charging (1PC)
  • 【MOST PRACTICAL MULTI-FUNCTIONAL SPOTLIGHT】: Our spotlight is divided...
  • 【LARGE BATTERY CAPACITY & USB OUTPUT FUNCTION】: Durable, up to 1200mah...
  • 【HIGH POWER BULB & PROFESSIONAL MATERIAL】: The handheld flashlights...
Bestseller No. 2
QIO CHUANG Emergency Mylar Thermal Blankets -Space Blanket Survival kit Camping Blanket (4-Pack). Perfect for Outdoors, Hiking, Survival, Bug Out Bag ,Marathons or First Aid 1
  • Emergency Protection: Highly reflective Mylar fabric traps heat and...
  • Space-Saving Design: Compact and lightweight, perfect for packing in...
  • Durable & Versatile: Made of heavyweight Polyester, suitable for camping,...
  1. Secure Your Home

Your home is only as safe as your reinforcements.

Regular searching your home for potential hazards and initiating repairs is key.

A few examples:

  • Secure loose roof tiles or shingles, trim trees or branches that could fall on your home 
  • Secure and tie outdoor furniture or objects that could be blown around during high winds.
  1. Prepare Your Utilities

Utilities such as electricity, gas, and water may be shut off during a time of disaster. It is key to prepare for this.

It is essential to:

  • Know where your utility shut-off valves are located and how to turn them off.
  • Consider purchasing a gas shut-off valve, which can automatically shut off your gas supply in the event of an earthquake or other disaster.
Bestseller No. 1
Buckbock 1/4" Inline Gas Fuel Shut Cut Off Valve for 493960 698183 698181 697947 9494768 5019H 5019K Small Engine Lawn Mower Parts 2pcs
  • 1/4 inch Fuel Shutoff Valve for Small Engine Replace for John Deer AM36141...
  • Fuel Shut off Valve 1/4 inch Line Replace for 9494768,494768...
  • Petcock Fuel Shutoff Valve for Toro 1-603770, 54-3150, Replaces for...
Bestseller No. 2
Savior Generator Petcock Fuel Gas Tank Switch Shut Off Valve for Predator Champion Generac Etq Homelite Husky Powermax Replace 0j0974 (16mm x 1.5mm)
  • Petcock Fuel Shutoff Valve Nut threading 16mm x 1.5mm; 22mm hex nut (...
  • Gas Tank Fuel Switch Valve Pump Petcock for Chinese Gasoline Generator...
  • For GP5000 GP5500 GP6000E GP6500 GP6500E GP7000 GP7000E GP7500 GP7500E...
  1. Create a Home Inventory

A home inventory is an essential list of your most valuable possessions and helps to create a record for any damage.u

It is important to take photos or videos of your home and belongings and keep them in a safe place, such as a fireproof safe or in the cloud.

Important legal and citizen documents documents, such as insurance policies and birth certificates, should be stored in a safe place where they can be easily accessed.

Bestseller No. 1
SentrySafe Fireproof Safe Box with Key Lock, Chest Safe with Carrying Handle to Secure Money, Jewelry, Documents, 0.25 Cubic Feet, 6.3 x 15.3 x 12.1 Inches, 1160
  • FIRE RESISTANT BOX: Lifetime after-fire replacement guarantee. Keep your...
  • ADVANCED FIRE PROTECTION: Fire safe box is UL classified for fire endurance...
  • KEY LOCK: Fire resistant safe has a privacy key lock to keep unwanted...
Bestseller No. 2
SentrySafe Black Fireproof and Waterproof Safe, File Folder and Document Box with Key Lock, Ex. 14.3 x 15.5 x 13.5 inches, HD4100
  • FIREPROOF: Safe is UL Classified to endure 1/2 hour at 1550°F and keep...
  • WATERPROOF: Safe box is ETL Verified for 72 hours of protection in water up...
  • COLOR: The fireproof file box has a black exterior finish

Checklist:

  • Create a family emergency plan
  • Stock up on emergency supplies
  • Secure your home
  • Prepare your utilities
  • Create a home inventory

Preparing your home for a disaster can help you stay safe and minimize damage to your home. Create a family emergency plan, stock up on emergency supplies, secure your home, prepare your utilities, and create a home inventory. By taking these steps, you can be better prepared for a disaster and increase your chances of staying safe.

Be safe out there

Last update on 2025-07-02 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API